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XVIII. 

PAPERS 

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SSLATING TO THB 


(E)ntiba Cnimtri] anh 3Eo[ramk 3Mtq. 


1756, 1757. 



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CAPTURE OF FORT BULL, 1 BY M R . DE 1ERY. 


[Paris Doc. XII.] 

On the 27 March 1756 at four o’clock in the morning, the 
detachments commanded by M. de Lery, Lieutenant of the 
Colonial troops, commenced their march, very much weakened by 
the fatigue they experienced during fifteen days since they left 
Montreal, for they were two days entirely out of provisions. 2 
At half past five they arrived at the road to the Carrying place, 
and the scouts in advance brought in two Englishmen who were 
coming from the fort nearest to Chouaguin, whom M. de Lery 
caused to be informed that he should have their brains knocked 
out by the Indians if he perceived that they endeavored to con¬ 
ceal the truth, and if they communicated it to him, he should use 
all his efforts to extricate them from their hands. 

These prisoners stated that the Fort, this side of Chouaguin, 
w T as called Bull, having a garrison of 60 soldiers, commanded by 
a lieutenant, that there was in this fort a considerable quantity of 
munitions of war and provisions; that the fort was constructed 
of heavy pickets, 15 to 18 feet above ground, doubled inside to a 
man’s height, and was nearly of the shape of a star; that it had 
no cannon, but a number of grenadoes which Colonel Johnson 
had sent on intelligence being communicated to him by the 
Indians of our march; that the Commandant of this Fort was 
called Bull; that 15 batteaux were to leave in the evening for 
Chouaguin; that at the moment sleighs were arriving with 9 
batteaux loads; that the fort on the Corlear side, at the head of 

1 This Fort is referred to in a Report of a Committee appointed to explore the 

Western Waters in the State of New-York.-Albany, Barber and Southwick, 

1792. It is laid down in Sauthier’s Map, as fort Bute. Its situation was about two 
miles west of Rome. See Outline Map annexed. 

2 He left on the 17th March on the ice, passed by La Presentation (Ogdensburgh) 
and proceeded across the country and along the mountains, by paths known only 
to the savages to within a short distance of one of those Forts called Bull. Mem. 
sur les off. du Canada dep. 1749 jusq. 1760. published by Hist. Soc. Quebec, 1838. 


510 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


the Carrying Place was of much larger pickets and well planked, 
having four pieces of Cannon and a garrison of 150 men, com¬ 
manded by Captain Williams, whose name the fort bore ; that they 
did not know if there were any provisions in the fort not having 
been in it. 1 

At 10 o’clock the savages captured 10 men who were conduct¬ 
ing the sleighs loaded with provisions. These confirmed what 
the prisoners had stated and added that 100 men arrived at 8 
o’clock on the preceding evening, who were said to be followed 
by a large force. 

Monsieur de Lery whilst occupying himself in distributing 
among his detachment the provisions found in the sleighs, was in¬ 
formed that a Negro who accompanied the loads had escaped taking 
the road to Fort Williams; whereupon not doubting but they 
would have intimation of him at that fort, he acquainted M. de 
Montigny, his second, of his determination to attack Fort Bull, 
the prisoners having assured him that the greater part of the pro¬ 
visions and stores were there. Each officer received immediate 
orders to form his brigade and M de Lery told the savages that 
he was about to attack the Bull, but they represented to him that 
now they had provisions to carry the detachment to La Presenta¬ 
tion—English meat that the Master of Life had bestowed on 
them, without costing a man—to risk another affair would be 
be to go contrary to His will; if he desired absolutely to perish 
he was master of his frenchmen. The Commander replied that 
he did not wish to expose them and asked them only for two In¬ 
dians to guide his expedition which they with difficulty granted. 
Some twenty determined afterwards to follow him being encour¬ 
aged by some drams of brandy. The Algonquins, Nepissings 
and those Iroquois who were unwilling to follow him, accepted 

1 The necessity of fortifying this Pass was pointed out, for the first time, in 
Oct. 1736, by a number of Indian Traders who petitioned the Assembly to erect 
a fort at “ the Carrying Place at the upper end of the Mohawk River.” When 
Fort Williams was erected has not been ascertained. There was a Fort William, 
in the Mohawk Country as early as 1745-6. but whether it be identical with Fort 
Williams is undetermined. The latter stood until 1756, when it was destroyed by 
GenT Webb on his famous flight from Wood creek immediately after the fall of 
Oswego. It was succeeded in 1758 by Fort Stanwix and finally by the present 
city of Rome, Oneida Co. 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


511 


the proposition made by M de Lery to guard the road and the 12 
prisoners. They assured the Commander that he may make the 
attack ; they would take possession of the road and watch the 
movements of the English at Fort Williams. 

The detachment having commenced their march along the high 
road, the soldiers having their bayonets fixed, M de Lery gave 
orders, when within 15 acres of the fort, to move strait forward 
without firing a shot, and seize the guard on entering the fort. 
He was still 5 acres off when he heard the whoop of the savages, 
notwithstanding the prohibition he had issued. He instantly 
ordered an advance double quick in order to carry the gate of the 
Fort, but the enemy had time to close it. Six Indians only 
followed the French : the others pursued six Englishmen who 
unable to reach the fort threw themselves into the bush, 

M. de Lery set some men to cut down the gate, and caused the 
Commandant to be summoned to surrender, promising quarter to 
him and all his garrison ; to which he only answered by a fire of 
musketry and by throwing a quantity of grenades. Our soldiers 
and Canadians who ran full speed the moment the Indians whooped, 
got possession of the portholes ; through these they fired on such 
of the English as they could get a sight of. Great efforts were 
made to batter down the gate which was finally cut in pieces in 
about an hour. Then the whole detachment with a cry of Vive 
le Roi rushed into the Fort and put every one to the sword they 
could lay hands on. One woman and a few soldiers only were 
fortunate enough to escape the fury of our troops. Some pretend 
that only one prisoner was made during this action. 1 

The Commandant and Officers repaired to the stores and caused 
their men to use diligence in throwing the barrels of powder into 
the river, but one of the Magazines having caught fire and M. 
de Lery considering that he could not extinguish it without incur¬ 
ring the risk of having the people blown up who should be 

1 “ Except five persons they put every soul they found to the sword.” A faith¬ 
ful Narrative of the dangers, sufferings and deliverances of Robert Eastburn, and his 
captivity among the Indians in North America. Annual Reg-. Vol. I. Anno, 1758. 
This Eastburn was taken prisoner by the French on this occasion and removed to 
a (own called “ Oswegotchy.” 


512 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


employed there, gave orders to retire as quick as possible. There 
was hardly time to do this when the fire communicated to the 
powder which blew up at three points. The explosion was so 
violent that a soldier of Guyenne and an Iroquois of the Sault 
were wounded by the debris of the fort though they were already 
at a distance. The Indian especially is in danger of losing his 
life by the wound. 1 

A detachment was, however, sent to look after the bagage that 
remained on the road and shortly after an Indian came to notify 
M de Lery that the English were making a sortie. This caused 
him to rally his forces and placing himself on the bank of the 
creek he had the bombs, grenades, bullets and all the ammunition 
that could be found, thrown notwithstanding into the water. 
He had the 15 batteaux staved in, and then set out to meet the 
sortie of which he had been informed. But he learned on the road 
that the Indians had repulsed it after having killed 17 men. This 
sortie was from Fort Williams on the intelligence carried thither 
by the Negro. The Indians who, unwilling to attack Fort Bull, 
took charge of the road, acquitted themselves so well that this 
detachment quickly retreated with a loss of 17 men. The Indians 
coming some hours after to congratulate M de Lery on his fortu¬ 
nate success failed not to make the most of their advantage. 

A Chief asked him if he proposed attacking the other fort; 
which was nothing more than a boast on his part. M de Lery 
replied he would proceed forthwith if the Indians would follow 
him. This reply drove this Chief off and all those of his party 
prepared to follow. Our troops did the same and encamped in 
the wood three quarters of a league from the fort. The fort Bull 
prisoners were examined and we learned that Colonel Johnson 
having been informed of our march had sent notice to all the 
posts, regarding it, however, as impossible in consequence of the 
rigor of the season. Fort Bull is situate near a small creek that 
falls into that of Chouaguin about four miles from the fort. Fort 

1 He was scarcely four arpens off when the fire communicating to the rest of the 
powder blew up the fort. The buildings were carried away and whatever remain¬ 
ed was in an instant in a blaze. The shock was so violent and the commotion so 
great, that his troop, seized with terror, fell on their knees. Mem. Sur lea aff. 
du Canada. 


country and mohawk valley. 


513 


Williams is near the River Mohawk which falls into that of Cor- 
lar. The Carrying place from one Fort to the other is about four 
miles long over a pretty level country though swampy in some 
places. 

M de Lery’s detachment was 15 officers, 2 Cadets, 10 soldiers 
of the Queen’s Regiment, 17 of Guyenne’s, 22 of Bearn’s, 27 of 
the Colony; in all 93 soldiers : 166 Canadians, 33 Iroquois from 
the Lake of Two Mountains, 33 from La Presentation, 18 from 
Sault St. Louis, 3 from St. Bigin, 3 Abenakis of Missiskoui, 2 
Algonquins, and 11 Nipissings. Total 362 men, 265 of whom 
attacked the fort. A soldier of the Colony and an Indian from 
La Presentation were killed. A soldier of the Queen’s, 2 Cana¬ 
dians and 2 Iroquois were wounded. 

It is estimated that more than 40 thousand weight of powder 
was burned or thrown into the creek with a number of Bombs, 
grenades, and balls of different calibre. A great deal of salted 
provisions, bread, butter, chocolate, sugar and other provisions 
were likewise thrown into the water. The stores were filled with 
clothes and other effects which were pillaged ; the remainder 
burnt. This day cost the English 90 men of whom 30 are prison¬ 
ers. Our detachment killed or captured 30 horses. 1 

1 After this exploit they retired to the woods and formed their main body 
which consisted of 400 French and 300 Indians commanded by one of the principal 
gentlemen of Quebec ; as soon as they got together, they threw themselves on 
their knees and returned thanks to God for their Victory ; an example says East- 
burn well worthy of imitation. They continued their march through the woods 
about four miles, and then it being dark, and several Indians being drunk, they 
encamped. . . . They encamped and rested much in the same manner the 

night following; and the next morning, Sunday the 28th, they rose very early and 
retreated hastily towards Canada, for fear of General Johnson who as they were 
informed was on his march against them. . . . After a march of seven days 

they arrived at Lake Ontario where they were met by some French batteaus with 
a large supply of provisions, of which they had been so much in want that they 
had subsisted during some part of their march upon horse flesh, and had even 
devoured a porcupine without any other dressing than sufficed just to scorch off 
the hair and quills. Eastburn, after a tedious voyage with part of this company, 
arrived at Oswegotchy an Indian town.— Eastburn’s Narrative . 

Those who may not have access to the Vol. of the Annual Reg. containing this 
Nar. will find it reprinted in Loudon’s Coll, of Ind. Narratives, Carlisle, Pa., 1811, 
Vol ii; Incidents of Border Life, Chambersburgh, Pa., 1839; also in Drake’s 
Tragedies of the Wilderness, Boston, 1841. 


33 


514 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


[N. Y. Mercurj r , April 5, 1756.] 

By an Express that arrived here on Friday last, from Albany, 
we are told that a Number of French & Indians had attacked 
Lieutenant Bull, and 30 men, that were posted at the upper End 
of the Great Carrying Place ; that he, & some of his People were 
killed, and a small store and Provisions in it burnt; & that they 
were in Pain for some of their Battoes, which they feared were 
cut off by the enemy. 

[From the same, April 12.] 

What we have been able to collect from some Letters and 
Verbal Information is as follows, viz 1 . 

That about the 18 th March [O. S.] a large Body of French & 
Indians attacked, and cut off 16 of our Battoes, near the Carrying 
Place, & either killed or captivated the greatest Part of the People; 
that as soon as the Officer that commanded about 35 men that 
were posted there, heard the firing, he detached a party to their 
Assistance, and as they did not return agreeable to his Expectation, 
he sent another Detachment, which so weakened the Garrison, 
that a Number of the Enemy that lay in Ambush, rushed in, put 
them all to the sword, blew up the Powder, & destroyed the 
Garrison, whilst the rest of the Enemy were engaged with our 
people, whom they killed or carried off, as only one was arrived 
at Fort Williams, the 20th of March, as will appear by the 
following Letter. 

Extract of a Letter from Fort Williams , dated the 20 th March 1756. 

These may serve to inform you, that we arrived here safe 
Yesterday about Eleven o’Clock. The People that were trans¬ 
porting Lansing’s Provisions, were attacked between this and the 
Marsh, by a Body of French and Indians, and are'all, but one 
that got in here, either killed or taken Prisoners ; their names 
you have underneath. The Fort at Wood Creek is burnt down, 
and none of Lansing’s Men, or the Red Coats are as^et come in. 
Just now the Commissary arrived from Oswego, and informs us, 
that the 20 Battoes sent there by Capt Williams, were safe arrived 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


515 


to their great Joy ; and that the People in Garrison were pretty 
hearty. All Lansing’s Provisions are destroyed, as well as the 
Powder that was in the Garrison, the People laid in Heaps and 
burnt. John Davids, Henry Dawson, James Tock, George Robei - 
son, John Tuyle, John Griefey, John Pain, and Closs Marseillis, 
went down Wood Creek last Wednesday, whether they are taken 
or not, we cannot tell. We believe John Davis got safe to Oswego, 
as the Commissary met him on the other Side of the Lake. Philip 
Lansing and John Van Alle, are safe here yet, with the rest of 
of their Men. Just now 70 of our Indians are came in, and 
acquaints us, that by the Tracts of the Enemy, they imagined 
there was at least 500 of them. The Names of the Persons, 
Residents in and about Albany, and supposed to be killed, are as 
follow, ’viz*. John, Jacob, and Andries Kidnee, John Vandeihey- 
den, Jacobus Sickles, Wolker Dawson, Anthony Brandt, Peter 
Giffins, Cornelius Sprong, three Servants & five Negroes. 


FRENCH DESCENT ON THE GERMAN FLATTS. 


[Paris Doc. XIII.] 

Summary of M. de Belletre’s Expedition , the 28 th JVovember , l r /57. 

M. de Belletre with his detachment of about 300 men, Marines, 
Canadians and Indians, arrived notwithstanding all the obstacles 
of the season and the greatest scarcity of provisions, at the river 
a la Famine [Black river,] where he met seven or eight Non- 
tagu6s who on a message reported to them in the General’s name, 
expressed delight in uniting with him. 

He continued his route and after inexpressible fatigues and 
suffering reached the vicinity of the Oneida Castle whither he 
sent four influential Indians as bearers of the General’s Word. 

He continued his march as far as the River Corlaer and had the 
satisfaction of examining five English forts abandoned by com¬ 
mand for that erected since the reduction of Chouaguen, on the 
site of Old Fort Bull. 

The Indians, informed that there was a garrison of 350 men in 



516 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


a Fort named Kouari situate on the said river about a quarter of a 
league from the Tillage of the Palatines 1 did not fail to exhibit 
fear, but M. de Belletre having told them that their Father did 
not despatch a picked detachment, so well selected, except to make 
a blow of some interest, they recovered their courage and evinced 
a lively ardor, except some young Warriors and aged men who 
gave in, already fatigued by a weary march. 

The four Savages sent to the Oneidas returned with the six 
warriors of that tribe who joined our detachment, and told M. de 
Belletre that they had no other will than that of their Father. 

On the 11th November at three o’clock in the afternoon M. de 
Belletre, preceded as was his custom by the scouts crossed the 
River Corlaer [Mohawk] with his detachment, partly swimming, 
partly in the water up to the neck. He encamped at night fall 
in the woods a league and a half from the first of the five forts 
that covered the Palatine Settlements. 

The 12th at three o’clock in the morning he gave his detach¬ 
ment the order of March and attack so as to surround the said 
five forts and the entire Palatine Tillage, consisting of sixty 
houses. 

Though M. de Belletre knew that the English got notice the 
day preceding, yet that the courage of the Indians may not 
receive the least check and to show them he would not rashly 
expose them, he liberated an Indian of the Five Nations whom 
he had until then detained under suspicion. But this Savage 
could not injure M. de Belletre because he commenced at the 
same time to attack the five forts and the Palatines’ houses. 

At sight of the first fort he decided to take it by assault. The 
enemy kept up the most active fire of musketry but the intre¬ 
pidity with which M. de Belletre, with all the Officers and Cana¬ 
dians of his detachment advanced, coupled with the war whoop 
of the Indians, terrified the English to the degree that the Mayor 

1 This fort, to which so much reference is made in a subsequent paper describ¬ 
ing the Valley of the Mohawk, was situate on the South side of the Mohawk 
River, nearly opposite the mouth of the West Canada Creek, in what is now the 
Town of German Flatts. It is alluded to by Lt. Gov. Delancey (see post p. 518) 
as « Fort Hareniger,” and is now known as Fort Ityrkimer. The settlement de 
stroyed by the French was on the opposite, or North side of the Mohawk. 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


517 


of the Village of the Palatines, who commanded the said Fort, 
opened the doors and asked for quarter. 

M. de Belletre lost no time in repairing to the second, the 
third, the fourth and fifth which were not less intimidated than 
the first by his intrepidity and the cries of the Indians. They all 
surrendered at discretion, and were entirely burnt. 

During this time a party of Canadians and Indians ravaged and 
burnt the said 60 houses of the Palatines, their barns and other out 
buildings as well as the Water Mill. 

In all these expeditions about 40 English perished— killed or 
drowned. The number of prisoners is nearly 150 men, women 
and children, among whom is the Mayor of the Village, the Sur¬ 
geon and some Militia Officers. We had not a man killed; but 
M. de Lorimier, officer, was wounded in the right side by a ball, 
and three or four Savages slightly. 

The damage inflicted on the enemy is estimated according to 
the representations of the English themselves, To wit 

In grain of all sorts, a much larger quantity than the Island of 
Montreal has produced in years of abundance. 

The same of hogs. 

3000 horned cattle, 

3000 sheep, 

All these articles were to have been sent in a few days to Corlaer 
(Schenectady.) 

1500 horses, 300 of which were taken by the Indians and the 
greater number consumed for the support of the detachment. 

The property in furniture, wearing apparel, merchandize and 
liquor might form a capital of 1,500,000 livres. The Mayor of 
the Village alone has lost 400,000. 

The French and Indians have acquired as rich a booty as they 
could carry off. They have in specie more than 100,000 livres. 
One Indian alone has as much as 30,000. There was likewise 
plundered a quantity of Wampum, silver-bracelets &c, scarlet 
cloth and other Merchandize which may form a capital of 80,000 
more. 

All this damage could not be done short of 48 hours. M de 
Belletre made provision to be always able to resist the enemy, who 


51S 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


as has been observed, were to the number of 350 men in the said 
Fort Kouari, about a quarter of a league from the field of battle. 

In fact, on the 13 th at 7 o’Clock in the morning, 50 English¬ 
men accompanied by some Mohawks left the said Fort, but as soon 
as they were perceived our Frenchmen and Indians went to meet 
them double quick, and forced them to swim across the river after 
receiving several discharges of Musketry. The number that 
perished cannot be estimated. At noon the same day, M de 
Belletre gave orders to his detachment to commence their return 
march. 

On the 15 th he sent an Oneida, who is much attached to the 
General, with some Chiefs from the Sault and St. Francis to bear 
a message to the Oneidas by which he communicated to them the 
success he experienced; invited them to persevere in their good 
Sentiments and not to fear the English. Our Oneida delegate 
rejoined M Belletre at the River Au Sable [Sandy Creek, Jeffer. 
Co.] and told him that the Five Nations had sent three Belts to 
the Oneida Villages of which they wished him to take charge as a 
present to the General. By these they demand assistance to 
resist the English being about to experience their resentment 
inasmuch as they refused to allow four of their Chiefs to enter 
Fort Kouari having fired several shots at them This had obliged 
the Oneidas to withdraw their women and children from the Lake 
side, hoping their Father will protect them. 


M R . DE LANCY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE. 

[Lond. Doc. XXXIV.] 

New York 5. January, 1658. 

It may be proper to acquaint your Lordships that we had the 
misfortune on the 12 th November to loose a valuable settlement 
on the North side of the Mohawks river opposite to Fort Hareniger, 
called the German Flatts, the loss is estimated at twenty thousand 
pounds this money, it is as fertile a piece of ground as any perhaps 
in the world the settlers wer§ generally rich, and had good build¬ 
ings on their lands, some of the inhabitants were slain, about one 



COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


519 


hundred carried into captivity, their houses and barns with the 
crops destroyed by Fire. This was done by a party of about three 
hundred Canadians & Indians; the people there thought themselves 
in great security and though advertised of the approach of the 
enemy, they neglected the advices they received and so fell an 
easy prey. 


MR. DAINE TO THE MINISTER. 

[Paris Doc. XIV.] 

Quebec, 19 May 1758. 

Annexed are two little Relations or Summaries of what has 
occurred of most interest since the departure of the ships last year. 
The damage inflicted on the English in horned cattle, sheep and 
horses has been greatly exaggerated in the Relation of M. de 
Bellestre’s expedition of the 28 th November 1757. It must be 
diminished at least a good half. It is still more exaggerated in 
regard to furniture, wearing apparel, merchandize and liquors 
which are carried up to fifteen hundred thousand livres, as well as 
the loss of the Palatine’s village in Indian corn. 


M. DE VAUDREUIL TO THE MINISTER. 

[Paris Doc. XV.] 

Montreal, 28 June 1758. 

M. de Bellestre’s success last autumn in destroying the village 
of the Palatines and carrying the forts that covered it would have 
been actually, My lord, a great aid to the Colony, had it been 
possible to remove the considerable portion of provisions of all 
sorts found in that village. I had particularly provided for this 
by the orders I gave that officer. But circumstances were not 
sufficiently favorable to execute them. 

1 st . M. de Bellestre being much exposed to be pursued and 
perhaps cut off by a force infinitely superior to his own was under 
the absolute necessity of using the greatest activity in his opera¬ 
tions, success depending essentially thereon. He was consequently 




520 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


unable to restrain the attack of his detachment. This was made 
by one party with all possible vigor whilst others w T ere busy firing 
the houses, barns etca. 

2. The 500 horses, lost by the enemy in this affair, were not 
exactly captured. The greater part were killed or wounded, and 
M. de Belletre brought with him but a very small number which 
was a great resource to him to support his detachment on his 
return. 

3 d . Had he all those horses and all the provisions at his 
disposal he could not absolutely have profited by them, either 
because it was prudent for him to hasten his retreat, or because 
the transportation of the provisions had been utterly impossible, 
both on account of the difficulty of the roads and rivers to be 
passed and the impossibility of feeding the horses. 


A SUMMARY NARRATIVE 

OF THE CONDUCT OF THE ONEIDA INDIANS (LIVING AT THE UPPER 
TOWN) PREVIOUS TO THE ATTACK OF THE FRENCH AND THEIR 
INDIANS UPON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE GERMAN FLATS, IN THE 
PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, IN NOVEMBER, 1757. 1 

A few days after this Massacre and desolation had been perpe¬ 
trated, Sir William Johnson despatched Geo. Croghan, Esq ; 
Deputy-agent, with M r Montour, the Indian interpreter, to the 
German Flats, where he understood several of the Oneida and 
Tuscarora Indians were assembled, in order to call upon those 
Indians to Explain themselves why they had not given more 
timely notice to the Germans of the designs and approach of the 
Enemy; it having been reported, that no intelligence had been 
given by the Indians, until the same morning the attack was made; 
and as these Indians might naturally be supposed, from their situa¬ 
tion and other circumstances, to have had earlier knowledge of 
the Enemy’s design and march. 

1 Lyman C. Draper, Esq., of Phila., has had the politeness to communicate this 
“ Narrative 



COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


521 


Before M r Croghan could get up to the German-Flats, the afore¬ 
said Indians were on their road homewards, but he was informed 
the Chief Sachem of the Upper Oneida Town, with a Tuscarora 
Sachem and another Oneida Indian, were still about four miles 
from Fort Harkeman : upon which he sent a messenger to acquaint 
them, that he was at the said fort. 

The aforesaid Indians returned, and on the 30 th of November 
at Fort Harkeman, Conaghquieson , the Chief Oneida Sachem, 
made the following speech to M> Croghan, having first called in 
one Rudolph Shumaker, Hanjost Harkman, and several other Ger¬ 
mans, who understood the Indian language, and desired them to 
sit down and hear what he was going to say. 

Conaghquieson then proceeded and said : 

£ Brother , 

£ 1 can’t help telling you that we were very much surprised 
to hear that our brethren the English suspect, and charge us with 
not giving them timely notice of the designs of the French, as it 
is well known we have not neglected to give them every piece of 
intelligence that came to our knowledge. 

£ Brother , 

£ About fifteen days before the affair happened, we sent the 
Germans word, that some Swegatchi Indians told us, the French 
were determined to destroy the German-Flats, and desired them 
to be on their guard. About six days after that, we had a further 
account from Swegatchi, that the French were preparing to 
march. 

£ I then came down to the German Flats, and in a meeting with 
the Germans, told them what we had heard, and desired them to 
collect themselves together in a body, at their fort,* and secure 
their women, children, and effects, and make the best defence 
they could; and the same time told them to write what I had said 
to our brother Warraghiyagey (meaning Sir William Johnsonf) 
but they paid not the least regard to what I told them ; and 

* A Stockaded Work round the church, and a block-house, with a ditch, and a 
parapet pallissadoed, thrown up by Sir William Johnson, a year ago, upon an 
alarm then given. 

f They never sent this intelligence to Sir William. 


522 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


laughed at me, slapping their hands on their buttocks, saying they 
did not value the Enemy: Upon .which I returned home, and sent 
one of our people to the Lake, (meaning the Oneida Lake) to find 
out whether the Enemy were coming or not; after he had staid 
there two days, the Enemy arrived at the Carrying-Place, and 
sent word to the Castle at the Lake, that they were there ; and 
told them what they were going to do ; but charged them not to 
let us at the Upper Castle know any thing of their design. As 
soon as the man I sent there heard this, he came on to us with the 
account that night; and as soon as we received it, we sent a belt 
of Wampum to confirm the truth thereof, to the Flats, which 
came here the day before the Enemy made their attack ; but the 
people would not give credit to the account even then, or they 
might have saved their lives.* This is the truth, and those Ger¬ 
mans here present know it to be so. 5 

The aforesaid Germans did acknowledge it to be so; and that 
they had such intelligence. 

George Croghan. 


EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ALBANY, 

dated the 13 th instant, being a relation of the murder com¬ 
mitted AT THE GERMAN FLATTS, NEAR FORT HERCHAMER, BY 80 
INDIANS, AND 4 FRENCHMEN. 

[N. Y. Mercury, May 22, 1758.] 

About 12 o’Clock, on Monday the 30th of April last an Oneida 
Indian acquainted Captain Herchamer that a Party of 80 Indians 
and four Frenchmen, were nigh his Fort, and would certainly 
come down and attack the settlements that Day, and advised Capt 
Harchamer to go into the Fort and take as many of the Inhabit¬ 
ants with him, as he could collect. About 3 o’Clock, most Part 
of the Inhabitants, having Notice from Capt Herchamer, left their 
Houses, and assembled at the Fort; four Families, that fled from 

* The Indians who brought this belt of Wampum finding the Germans still 
incredulous, the next morning, just before the attack began, laid hold on the 
German Minister, and in a manner forced him over to the other side of the river; 
by which means he and some who followed him escaped the fate Of their brethren. 



COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


523 


Henderson’s Purchase, in the spring for fear of the Enemy, could 
not get in, and had in their Houses two Indian Traders, of the 
name of Clock, and six Waggoners that were carrying Capt. 
Gage’s Baggage to the Fort. At 4 o’Clock, all of a sudden,* the 
Houses were attacked; and the Waggoners being surprized, run 
up stairs, the better to defend themselves. The Indians immedi¬ 
ately rushed into the House, and killed and scalped all that were 
below; some of the Indians attempted the stairs, but they were 
knocked down by the Waggoners; they then fired up thro’ the 
Loft, and soon were joined by more Indians, who fired many shot 
quite thro’ the House, and proposed to set it on fire, which inti¬ 
midated John Ehel, a Waggoner, to such a Degree, that he leap’d 
out at a window, thinking to make his Escape, but was soon 
killed; the other five defended themselves with great Intrepedity, 
having killed one Indian, until they were relieved by a Party of 
Rangers, who came to their assistance, and after exchanging a few 
Shot, the Indians fled, seeing our People have the advantage of a 
Log Fence. . . . Capt. Herchamer says he saw four or five 

of the Indians drop, but were carried off.—In the above affair, 33 
of the Inhabitants were killed, & Lieut. Hair, of the Rangers, 
received a slight Wound in the Breast. . . . Next day some 

Oneidas came down to Trade, and met the Enemy going off, who 
told them they had 6 of their Company killed, and 9 Wounded.— 
Next Morning a Woman came into the Fort that had been scalped, 
besides having her Nose almost cut off, with a Wound in her 
Breast, and another in her side. She is likely to recover, related 
all that happened till she was scalped, and says there was Onon- 
dado Indians amongst them. 


524 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY BETWEEN OSWEGO AND 

ALBANY—1757. 

[Paris Doc. XIII.] 

ITINERARY from the Mouth of the river Chouegen (Oswego) in Lake Ontario 
to Lake Oneida, then up Vilcrick (Wood creek) to the Summit level which 
is the source of the river of the Mohawks, or des Agnics, by which we can 
descend to Corlar or Chenectedi whence Albany or Orange can be reached. 

The entrance of the River Chouegen is easy ; the harbour is 
formed of a cove. The English had a fort on each side of this 
River by which this entrance was defended. 

From Chouegen to the Great fall is an ascent of four leagues. 
In this space the navigation is intricate, the river rapid and en¬ 
cumbered by large rocks. Good pilots, familiar with the shoals, 
are requisite to be able to pass through it. Batteaus must be un¬ 
loaded at the Great fall where a portage occurs of about 40 to 50 
paces. The batteaus are dragged along the ground.* It is esti¬ 
mated to be about four leagues from the Fall to the mouth of the 
River of the Five Nations, [river Seneca] which mouth is called 
the Three Rivers; 1 its navigation is good. About a quarter of a 
league before coming to the Three Rivers there is, however, a 
current where precaution is requisite. 

From the Three Rivers to Lake Oneida is computed at 8 leagues ; 
the navigation is good ; the river is about 60 paces wide; it is at 
all times passable with loaded vessels. This river is the outlet of 
Lake Oneida. There is neither fall nor rapid at its entrance. 

* Note in the Original .—From Chouegen to Fort Bull is estimated to be about 36 
leagues. The ordinary batteau load is only 14 to 1500 weight. It takes five days 
to ascend the River from Chouegen to Fort Bull and three and half from Fort 
Bull to Chouegen. The river of the Five Nations [Seneca Riv.] rises in little 
lakes near which, about six leagues from its entrance into the River Chouegen, 
the Indians of the Five Nations reside. That river divides into two branches. 
That from the Right rises in the Lake of the Senecas and Cayugas; that from the 
left beyond the Lake of the Ononontagues. 

1 The Junction of the rivers Oneida and Seneca with the Oswego is still known 
as the Three Rivers, and the Point of land, as the Three River’s Point. It is 
sometimes confounded with the Three Rivers in Canada, as appears by a note in 
Stone’s Life of Brant, i, 216. 


\ 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


525 


Lake Oneida is twelve leagues long by about one league wide. 
Its navigation is beautiful and practicable at all times, unless there 
be a strong contrary wind. It ig best on the right of the lake 
which is the north side. 

From Lake Oneida we enter the River Vilcrick,* which empties 
into that Lake, & ascend nine leagues to Fort Bull. This river is 
full of sinuosities, narrow and sometimes embarrassed with trees 
fallen from both banks. Its navigation is difficult when the water 
is low. It is, however, passable at all times with an ordinary 
batteau load of 14 to 1500 weight. When the waters of this 
stream are low, an ordinary batteau load cannot go by the river 
further than within a league of Fort Bull. It becomes necessary 
then to unload and make a Carrying place of the remainder by a 
road constructed to the Fort, or to send back the batteaux for the 
other half load. 

Fort Bull which was burnt in 1756 by a detachment under the 
orders of M. de Lery, was situated on the right bank of this River 
near its source on the height of land. 

From Fort Bull to Fort Williams is estimated to be one league 
and a quarter. 1 This is the Carrying place across the height of 
land. The English had constructed a road there over which all 
the carriages passed. They were obliged to bridge a portion of 
it, extending from Fort Bull to a small stream near which a fort 
had been begun though not finished ; it was to be intermediate be¬ 
tween the two Forts, having been located precisely on the Summit 
level. 

Fort Williams was situated on the right bank of the River 
Mohawk or des Agnies , near the rise of that river on the height 
of land. It was abandoned and destroyed by the English after 
the capture of Chouegen. 

Leaving Chouegen there is a road over which the English used 
to drive cattle & horses. This road follows the border of the 
left bank of the River Chouegen. The Five Nations river is 

* Note in the Original .—'The River of the Killed Fish [now Fish Creek] flows 
also into this Lake ; the English used it formerly; they abandoned it because 
there was a Portage, and have preferred Vilcrick which they have cleared. 

1 For locations of these Forts, see ante pp. 509, 510 ; also Outline Map. 


526 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


passed at a fall near its entrance into the River Chouegen, after 
which the road proceeds along the edge of the right bank 
of the Five Nations’ river to the tillage of the Onnontagues 
whence it proceeds across the country to the village of the 
Caskarorins [Tuscaroras'?] and the Oneidas* whence we can go to 
Forts Bull and Williams; also to fort Kouary without being 
obliged to pass the said two forts. The path or road taken by 
M de Belhetre in his expedition against the village of the 
Palatines may be also used. He went from the mouth of the 
Famine River [now Sacketts Harbor] ten leagues below Chouegen; 
ascended this river for the distance of four leagues, and leaving 
it on the left followed the path leading to Oneida Lake on his 
right, and came to the Summit level at Fort Williams. 

The Country through which he passed is fine; there being but 
few mountains. The soil is soft only in the latter part of the 
season. He forded three rivers the waters of which were very 
high during the four days that he was going from the River Famine 
to Fort Williams, a distance estimated at 24 to 30 leagues. 

From Fort Williams the Mohawk river is navigable. Batteaux 
carry the same load as in the river Yilcrick to the portage at 
the Little Falls, which is about two leagues below the village of 
the Palatines and Fort Kouari. 

From Fort Williams to Fort Kouari , 1 situated on the right bank 
of the Mohawk river, is estimated to be 12 leagues. The roack 
follows the right bank of the river which is the south side. 

Leaving Fort Williams there is a road that unites with that by 
which horses and cattle pass from Fort Kouari and Chouagen. 
This road is bad for about four leagues after leaving Fort Williams. 
The Country is marshy. Carriages (les trains) travel it in winter 
and during the summer, and it can be easily passed on horseback 

* Note in the Original .—The road goes to the great Oneida Village, about two 
leagues from the Lake. A picket Fort with four bastions, had been constructed 
in this Village by the English. It was destroyed by the Oneidas in observance 
of their promise given at a council held between them & the Marquis de Vaudreuil. 
Each of its sides might have been one hundred paces. There is a second Oneida 
Village, called the little village, situated on the bank of the Lake. There is no 
fort in the latter. 

1 For location of Fort Kouari see ante p. 516. 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


527 


at all times, though in some places there is a great deal of mud. 
After these four leagues, carts can easily go as far as Fort Kouari. 
Having traveled three leagues on this road which is five leagues 
from Fort Kouari, we come to the forks of two roads one of 
which, to the left, leads to the Palatines’ village by fording the 
Mohawk river. 

Continuing along the high road, which is on the right bank 
of the River Mohawk, to go to Fort Kouari, a creek is met that 
must be forded. Here was a grist-mill that has been burnt. One 
league before reaching Fort Kouari another small stream is 
encountered over which there is a bridge. This stream is forda¬ 
ble almost at all seasons. There was, also, a saw-mill on this 
creek which has been burnt. 

Fort Kouari is situate on the right side of the Mohawk river, 
on a small hill on the edge of that river’s bank. It is a large 
three story stone house with port holes ( crenelee ) at each story, 
and likewise in the basement for the purpose of cross firing. 
There are some small pieces above. The house is covered with 
plank and shingles. It was built as a store and depot for Chou- 
eguen. It is surrounded by a ditch at a distance of about 30 feet. 
This ditch is six feet deep and seven wide. The crown of the 
ditch inside is planted with palisades in an oblique form; they 
are well jointed the one to the other. Behind these there is a 
parapet of earth so as to be able to fire over the palisades. The 
four angles of this parapet which is at the back of the ditch, 
form as it were four little bastions that reciprocally flank each 
other. On the West side, there is a house apart from the large 
one. It backs against the parapet of the palisades and serves as 
a barrack and guard house. There are two doors to the large 
building ; the one at the North is a small swing door. It is used 
only in going to the river for water. At this side of the house 
there is no ditch ; only palisades fixed in boards set against the 
brow of the right bank of the river to support the earth. The 
large door of the house is on the South side ; it is folding but not 
ironed. To go outside the palisades and ditch through this large 
door, you must leave the house to the left and turn to the Eastward 
where there is a passage. The ditch has not been excavated. The 


528 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


earth serves as a bridge and road. There are palisades to the 
right and left, on both sides of the way the whole width of the 
ditch. Outside the ditch there is a folding gate. There is no 
other barrier nor chevaux-de-frise in front. The nearest house 
outside the fort is about 150 paces. Opposite this fort in the 
river is a small cultivated island which can be reached at low 
water by fording. 

From Fort Kouari to that of Cannatchocary is four leagues. 
Some twenty houses are located at a distance one from another, 
within the space of one league of this road, which is through a 
flat country. After making this league we go up a mountain that 
occupies two hours to ascend and descend. The country through¬ 
out the whole of this space is covered with w^ood. After descend¬ 
ing, two houses somewhat distant one from the other are in the 
league which is still to be travelled to get to Cannatchocari. 

The Inhabitants of this Country are Palatines or Germans. 
They form a Company with some who dwell above the Fall 1 on 
the other side of the River which is the left bank. This company 
consists of about 80 men. The road from the one to the other of 
these two Forts is good for all sorts of carriages. 

Fort Cannatchocari is situated at the side of the Mohawk river 
on the right bank. It is a square of four bastions of upright 
pickets joined together with lintels. They are fifteen feet high, 
about one foot square with port holes inserted from distance to 
distance with a stage all round to fire from. 

This Fort is one hundred paces on each side. It is not sur¬ 
rounded by a ditch. There are some small pieces of cannon at 
each of its bastions, and a house at each curtain to serve as a 
store and barrack. Five or six families of Mohawk Indians reside 
outside the fort. 

From Fort Cannatchocari to Fort Hunter is about 12 leagues ; 
the road is pretty good • carriages pass over it; it continues along 
the banks of the Mohawk river. About a hundred houses, at a 
greater or less distance from one another are found within this 
length of road. There are some situated also about half a league 


1 Little Falls. 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


529 


in the interior. The inhabitants of this section are Germans who 
compose a company of about 100 men each. 

Fort Hunter is situated on the borders of the Mohawk river, 
and is of the same form as that of Cannatchocari, with the excep¬ 
tion that it is twice as large. There is likewise a house at each 
curtain. The cannon at each bastion are from 7 to 9 pounders. 
The pickets of this Fort are higher than those of Cannatchocari. 
There is a church or temple in the middle of the Fort; in the 
interior of the fort are also some thirty cabins of Mohawk Indians, 
which is the most considerable village. This fort, like that of 
Cannatchocari, has no ditch ; there’s only a large swing door at 
the entrance. 

Leaving Fort Hunter a creek 1 is passed at the mouth of 
which that fort is located. It can be forded, and crossed in 
batteaux in summer and on the ice in winter. There are some 
houses outside under the protection of the Fort in which the coun¬ 
try people seek shelter when they fear or learn that an Indian or 
French war party is in the field. 

From Fort Hunter to Chenectedi or Corlar is seven leagues . 
The public carriage way continues along the right bank of the 
Mohawk river. About 20 to 30 houses are found within this 
distance separated the one from the other from about a quarter 
to half a league. The Inhabitants of this section are Dutch. 
They form a company with some other inhabitants of the left bank 
of the Mohawk river, about 100 men strong. 

Chenectedi or Corlar, situated on the bank of the Mohawk 
river, is a village of about 300 houses. It is surrounded by upright 
pickets, flanked from distance to distance. Entering this village 
by the gate on the Fort Hunter side, there is a fort to the right 
which forms a species of citadel in the interior of the village 
itself. It is a square, flanked with four bastions or demi-bastions, 
and is constructed half of masonry and half of timbers piled one 
over the other above the masonry. It is capable of holding 2 or 
300 men. There are some pieces of cannon as a battery on the 
rampart. It is not encircled by a ditch. The entrance is through 
a large swing gate raised like a drawbridge. By penetrating the 

1 Schoharie Creek. 


34 


530 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


village in attacking it at another point, the fire from the fort can 
be avoided. 

The greatest portion of the Inhabitants of Chenectedi are 
Dutch. 

From Chenectedi to Albany or Orange is estimated to be 6 or 
7 leagues * The road is excellent for all sorts of carriages; the 
soil sandy and the country covered with open timber. There are 
only a few hills. A league and half from Chenectedi, there is a 
house on the road which is a tavern. A league and half farther 
on, that is to say half way, another house is met which is also a 
tavern. 

Orange is situate on the right bank of the river Orange, other¬ 
wise called Hudson. It is not fortified on the forest side except 
by an enclosure of walls, or pickets, without a ditch, which is 
flanked at certain distances; the river defends the entrance on 
the other side. It is calculated to be smaller than the enclosure 
of the town of Montreal. In the interior of Orange there is a fort, 
a sort of citadel, capable of containing 300 men ; here are some 
cannon. 

This is all that relates to the Right bank of the Mohawk river. 
Let us pass to the left bank, which is the North side of that river, 
departing likewise from near its source at Fort Williams, [Rome.] 

Leaving Fort Williams by the left bank of the river Mohawk, 
the village of the Palatines is estimated to be 12 leagues. The 
Mohawk river is fordable near Fort Williams whence a path 
leads to the interior, half a league from the shore, parallel with 
the river whose borders are so marshy that nothing but hay can 
be had there. 

This path leads over hills and small mountains and can be 
traveled only afoot or on horseback. Eight leagues must be 
traversed by this path before reaching the forks of the high road 
that comes from the other side, or right bank of the river. After 
1 aving traveled this high road a quarter of an hour, a small creek 
is found, called Rassedot . 1 It can be forded. There were two 

* Note in the Orig .—The total distance from Chouegen to Orange is 78 a 79 
leagues. 

1 This Creek is on the Kass farm in the Town of Schuyler, Herkimer Co. It 
was called by the Indians, Raxetoth Creek. 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


531 


houses on the left bank of this creek which were burnt, and noth¬ 
ing remains of them but the ruins. Having passed this creek, 
the high road is followed for a distance of four leagues to the 
village of the Palatines. All sorts of vehicles travel this road. 

The Palatine Village* was situated on the left bank of the 
Mohawk river, not directly opposite Fort Kouari but about half 
a quarter of a league above it. You go from this village to the 
fori by batteau; the river can even be forded in several places. 

The Palatine Village which consisted of thirty houses has 
been entirely destroyed and burnt by a detachment under M. de 
Belhetre’s orders. The inhabitants of this village formed a com¬ 
pany of 100 men bearing arms. They reckoned there 300 persons, 
men, women and children, 102 of whom were made piisonersand 
the remainder fled to Fort Kouari, except a few who were killed 
whilst fording the river. 

From the Palatine Village to the Little Falls, still continuing 
along the left bank of the river, is estimated about three leagues. 
In this distance there had been eight houses which have been 
abandoned. The inhabitants of these houses compose a company 
with those of Fort Kouari at the opposite side of the river. 

The portage at the Little Falls is a quarter of a league, and is 
passed with carts. There is a road on both sides of the river, but 
that on the left bank is preferable, being better. 

From the portage at the Little Falls, continuing along the left 
bank of the river, there is only a foot path which is traveled with 
difficulty on horseback. Three leagues must be made over this 
this path to arrive at the Canada creek where we meet the high 
road that passes from the termination of the Little Falls por¬ 
tage, along the right bank of the Mohawk river, where there is a 
ford above Fort Cannatchocari, opposite the mouth of the Canada 
Creek. There is also a ferry boat at this place to put carts across 
when the river is high. 

After fording Canada Creek, we continue along the left bank of 
the Mohawk river and high road which is passable for carts for 12 

* Note in Orig .—It requires a day to descend the river with batfeaux from Fort 
Bull to the Palatine Village and three to return; and to go down from the Pal? 
tine village to Corlar requires [a day ?] and a day and a half to return. 


532 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA 


leagues to Col. Johnson’s mansion. In the whole of this distance 
the soil is very good. About 500 houses are erected, at a distance 
one from the other. The greatest number of those on the bank of 
the river are built of stone. Those at a greater distance fiom the 
river in the interior are about half a league off; they are new 
Settlements, built of wood. 

There is not a fort in the whole of this distance of 12 leagues; 
There is but one farmer’s* house built of stone that is somewhat 
fortified and surrounded with pickets. It is situate on the bank 
of the river three leagues from where the Canada Creek empties 
into the Mohawk river. 

The inhabitants of this Country are Germans. They form four 
companies of 100 men each. 

Col. Johnson’s mansion is situate on the border of the left bank 
of the River Mohawk; it is three stories high; built of stone, with 
port holes ( crenelees ) and a parapet and flanked with four bastions 
on which are some small guns. In the same yard, on both sides 
of the Mansion, there are two small houses; that on the right of 
the entrance in a Store, and that on the left is designed for work¬ 
men, negroes and other domestics. The yard gate is a heavy swing 
gate well ironed; it is on the Mohawk river side; from this gate 
to the river there is about 200 paces of level ground. The high 
road passes there. A small rivulet coming from the north empties 
itself into the Mohawk river, about 200 paces below the enclo¬ 
sure of the yard. 1 On this stream there is a Mill about 50 paces 
distance from the house; below the Mill is the miller’s house where 
grain and flour are stored, and on the other side of the creek 100 
paces from the mill, is a barn in which cattle and fodder are kept. 
One hundred and fifty paces from Colonel Johnson’s Mansion at 
the North side, on the left bank of the little creek, is a little hill 
on which is a small house with port holes where is ordinarily kept 
a guard of honour of some twenty men, which serves also as an 
advanced post. 

From Colonel Johnson’s house to Chenectedi is counted seven 

1. This Creek (I am informed by Fisher Putman, Esq. P. M. of Tribes Hill,)goes 
now by the name of Old Fort Creek. Its original Indian name, he adds, was 
Kayadarosseros. 


COUNTRY AND MOHAWK VALLEY. 


533 


leagues; the road is good ; all sorts of vehicles pass over it. 
About twenty houses are found from point to point on this road. 

The Mohawk river can be forded during summer, a league and 
a quarter west of Chenectedi. Opposite Chenectedi the traverse 
is usually in a ferry boat and batteaux. 

The inhabitants of this Country are Dutchmen. They form a 
Company of about 100 men with those on the opposite side of 
the river below Fort Hunter. 

Going from Chenectedi to the mouth of the Mohawk river where 
it discharges into that of Orange, there is a Great Fall (Cohoes) 
which prevents the passage of batteaus, so that every thing on the 
river going from Chenectedi to Orange, passes over the high road 
that leads there direct. 

From Orange to New York is counted 50 to 60 leagues. Barks 
from New York ascend to Orange. There is also a high road from 
one to the other of these towns, on the left bank of the river. The 
country is thickly inhabited on both sides of the river. The inhabit¬ 
ants of Orange are, also, mostly Dutch like those of Chenectedi. 

From Orange to Boston is considered about 60 leagues. The 
road thither is across the country. From Boston to New York is 
reckoned the same distance following the road along the seaside. 

New York, situate on the left bank of the Orange River, near its 
mouth at the sea, is located on a tongue of land forming a penin¬ 
sula. It is fortified only on the land side. Opposite New York 
is a large Island (Long Island) very well inhabited and very 
wealthy. All sorts of vessels of war and Merchantmen anchor 
between the town and that Island. 

Nota. In the whole Country of the River Corlar there are 
nine Companies of Militia under the Command of Colonel John¬ 
son ; eight only remain, that of the Village of the Palatines being 
no longer in existence, the greater portion having been defeated 
by M. de Belhetre’s detachment. Colonel Johnson assembles 
these companies when he has news of any expedition which may 
concern the Mohawk river. 

In the latter part of April 1757, on receiving intelligence by 
the savages that there was a strong detachment ascending the river 
St. Lawrence and entering Lake Ontario, he assembled these Cam- 


53* 


PAPERS RELATING TO THE ONEIDA, ETC. 


panies and went to the Village of the Palatines where he was 
joined by another body of 11 @ 1200 men sent him by the com¬ 
mandant of Orange; this formed in all a force of 2000 men. He 
entrenched himself at the head of the Palatine Village where he 
remained in Camp fifteen days, and did not retire until he received 
intelligence that the French detachment seen on the River St Law¬ 
rence had passed by and taken the route to the Belle Rivi&re 
(Ohio.) 

This was the detachment of 500 men that had been sent last 
year to reinforce Belle Riviere, and had left Montreal in the latter 
days of the month of April. 


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